Creative Ways to Celebrate Valentine's Day at Work

If you love your coworkers, let them know it. Not in a stalker kind of way (no HR policy violations, please). But Valentine’s Day is a great opportunity to show your work colleagues how much you appreciate them.

Why is this important? It just might be the catalyst for improving employee engagement on the job.

Thanks = Employee Engagement

According to a recent Gallup poll, we’re doing a terrible job with employee engagement at work. More than one-third of the American workforce is unhappy in their job. Millennials are the least engaged of all.

The real challenge is that engaged employees don't stay with a company. So if you're concerned at all about employee retention, a real show of appreciation from management and colleagues can boost both engagement and fulfillment from the employees that power the day-to-day success of the company.

That’s why Valentine’s Day is important. It’s a holiday centered on love, certainly, but also an appreciation for the strengths of another person.

So, while sharing some fun with co-workers on Valentine’s Day won’t really break the cycle of disengagement, it could begin a process of attitude change – especially if you’re in management. Use February 14^th this year as a way to show your respect and care for your co-workers and employees.

21 Creative Ways to Celebrate at work on February 14th

Remember, don't be creepy, but spread the love.

Here's how to celebrate Valentine's Day at work:

1. Use Canva to design appreciation cards.

2. Share employee appreciation messages on social media — send a quick tweet or write a recommendation on LinkedIn.

3. Build a wall in your office where co-workers can leave sticky note appreciation messages for other employees.

4. Go to the dollar store and buy a bunch of coffee mugs. Fill them with candy. Leave one on everyone's desk.

5. Bring breakfast. Everyone loves breakfast.

6. Use Valentine’s Day to kick off a contest that recognizes the good work people do.

7. Bring in fresh flowers to decorate the office.

8. You could also use February 14^th to announce a series of team-building events, such as a Wine & Canvas night.

9. Decorate the office with balloons and streamers.

10. Make a Starbucks run.

11. Pass out gift cards to restaurants or the movies.

12. Make cookies. But only if you can bake!

13. If your office is formal, announce that Valentine’s Day will be a dress casual day.

14. Not to be too clichéd, but – CHOCOLATE. Yes.

15. Partner with a local gym to offer a free heart-healthy workout night.

16. Bring in a massage therapist and offer free chair massages.

17. Use the afternoon to establish teams and launch a Valentine’s Day scavenger hunt.

18. Have a red velvet cupcake decorating party.

19. Go on strike – take your office bowling.

20. Have an awards ceremony at lunch. Make it funny, interesting and inclusive.

21. Say “thank you” to everyone. Do it.